Ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors and methods of use

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are novel compounds that inhibit ribonucleotide reductase (RR) by binding to RRM2 and interfering with the activity of the RRM1/RRM2 holoenzyme. These inhibitors may be used to inhibit RR activity and to treat various conditions associated with RRM2 expression, such as for example certain cancer types, mitochondrial diseases, or degenerative diseases.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present utility application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/420,713, filed Apr. 8, 2009, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/043,372, filed Apr. 8, 2008, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

GOVERNMENT INTEREST

This invention was made with Government support under grant number CA127541 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The Government has certain rights in this invention.

BACKGROUND

Ribonucleotide diphosphate reductase (RR) is a highly regulated enzyme in the deoxyribonucleotide synthesis pathway that is ubiquitously present in human, bacteria, yeast, and other organisms (Jordan 1998). RR is responsible for the de novo conversion of ribonucleotide diphosphate to 2′-deoxyribonucleotide diphosphate, a process that is essential for DNA synthesis and repair (Thelander 1986; Jordan 1998; Liu 2006). RR is directly involved in tumor growth, metastasis, and drug resistance (Yen 1994; Zhou 1995; Nocentini 1996; Fan 1998; Zhou 1998).

The proliferation of metastatic cancer cells requires excess dNTPs for DNA synthesis. Therefore, an increase in RR activity is necessary as it helps provide extra dNTPs for DNA replication in primary and metastatic cancer cells. Because of this critical role in DNA synthesis, RR represents an important target for cancer therapy. However, there has been little progress in the development of RR inhibitors for use in cancer treatment. The three RR inhibitors currently in clinical use (hydroxyurea, 3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone, and GTI2040) each have significant drawbacks. Therefore, there is a need in the art for more effective compositions and methods for targeting and treating RR-based cancers.

SUMMARY

In certain embodiments, a novel set of compounds including COH4, COH20, and COH29, as well as various chemical derivatives thereof, are provided. Also provided are compositions and pharmaceutical formulations comprising these compounds.

In certain embodiments, methods are provided for inhibiting RR activity in a cell by contacting the cell with one or more of the compounds provided herein, including COH4, COH20, and/or COH29.

In certain embodiments, methods are provided for inhibiting the growth or proliferation of a cell expressing RRM2 by contacting the cell with a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the compounds provided herein, including COH4, COH20, and/or COH29.

In certain embodiments, methods are provided for treating cancer in a subject in need thereof by administering a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the compounds provided herein, including COH4, COH20, and/or COH29. In certain embodiments, the cancer may be characterized by RRM2 overexpression, and in certain embodiments the cancer may be resistant to treatment with hydroxyurea.

In certain embodiments, methods are provided for inhibiting proliferation of a stem cell expressing RRM2 by contacting the stem cell with a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the compounds provided herein, including COH4, COH20, and/or COH29.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Suppression of RRM2 via siRNA in mice implanted with human HepG2 liver cancer cells decreases tumor growth.

FIG. 2: RRM2 overexpression in cancer tissues and cell lines in comparison to normal tissue.

FIG. 3: RRM2 transfectant enhances invasive potential in human cancer cell lines.

FIG. 4: Prediction of V-shaped ligand binding pocket on RRM2. Iron clusters are shown in red.

FIG. 5: Synthesis strategy for NCI-3 analogs

FIG. 6: Inhibition of RR activity in vitro by HU, 3-AP, NCI-3, COH4, and COH20.

FIG. 7: Inhibition of intracellular RR activity by COH20.

FIG. 8: Inhibition of dNTP pools by COH20 in KB cells.

FIG. 9: Cytotoxicity of 3-AP, HU, COH4, and COH20 in human prostate LNCaP cancer cells in vitro.

FIG. 10: Cytotoxicity of 3-AP, HU, COH4, and COH20 in human KB cancer cells in vitro.

FIG. 11: Cytotoxicity of 3-AP, HU, COH4, and COH20 in normal human fibroblast (NHDF) cells in vitro.

FIG. 12: Cytotoxicity of 3-AP, HU, COH4, and COH2 in human KBHUR cancer cells in vitro.

FIG. 13: Cytotoxicity of 3-AP, HU, COH4, and COH20 in human KBMDR (multidrug resistant) cells in vitro.

FIG. 14: Inhibition of human KB and KBMDR cell proliferation by COH20.

FIG. 15: Upper panel: Flow cytometry of KB cells following treatment with 3-AP or COH20. Lower panel: Annexin staining of KB cells following treatment with 3-AP or COH20.

FIG. 16: Single-dose pharmacokinetics of COH20 in rats.

FIG. 17: COH20 maximal tolerated dose determination in normal mice.

FIG. 18: Biacore analysis of RRM2 binding to COH20 and 3-AP.

FIG. 19: Interference of RRM1 binding to RRM2 by COH20.

FIG. 20: Inhibition of cancer cell growth by single-dose administration of COH29.

FIG. 21: Inhibition of cancer cell growth by multiple-dose administration of COH29.

FIG. 22: Inhibition of cancer cell growth by multiple-dose administration of COH29. Results are grouped by cell line tissue of origin.

FIG. 23: Inhibition of cancer cell growth by multiple-dose administration of COH29.

FIG. 24: Inhibition of cancer cell growth by multiple dose administration of COH29.

FIG. 25: Pharmcokinetic of COH29 in rats.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the invention is merely intended to illustrate various embodiments of the invention. As such, the specific modifications discussed are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various equivalents, changes, and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and it is understood that such equivalent embodiments are to be included herein.

The following abbreviations are used herein: 3-AP, 3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone; dNTP; deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate; HU, hydroxyurea; RR, ribonucleotide reductase.

The phrase “therapeutically effective amount” as used herein refers to an amount of a compound that produces a desired therapeutic effect. The precise therapeutically effective amount is an amount of the composition that will yield the most effective results in terms of efficacy in a given subject. This amount will vary depending upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to the characteristics of the therapeutic compound (including activity, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and bioavailability), the physiological condition of the subject (including age, sex, disease type and stage, general physical condition, responsiveness to a given dosage, and type of medication), the nature of the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or carriers in the formulation, and the route of administration. One skilled in the clinical and pharmacological arts will be able to determine a therapeutically effective amount through routine experimentation, namely by monitoring a subject's response to administration of a compound and adjusting the dosage accordingly. For additional guidance, see Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy (Gennaro ed. 20^(th) edition, Williams & Wilkins PA, USA) (2000).

“Treating” or “treatment” of a condition as used herein may refer to preventing or alleviating a condition, slowing the onset or rate of development of a condition, reducing the risk of developing a condition, preventing or delaying the development of symptoms associated with a condition, reducing or ending symptoms associated with a condition, generating a complete or partial regression of a condition, curing a condition, or some combination thereof. With regard to cancer, “treating” or “treatment” may refer to inhibiting or slowing neoplastic and/or malignant cell growth, proliferation, and/or metastasis, preventing or delaying the development of neoplastic and/or malignant cell growth, proliferation, and/or metastasis, or some combination thereof. With regard to a tumor, “treating” or “treatment” may refer to eradicating all or part of a tumor, inhibiting or slowing tumor growth and metastasis, preventing or delaying the development of a tumor, or some combination thereof.

A cancer “characterized by overexpression of RRM2” as used herein refers to any cancer type that expresses RRM2 at either the mRNA or protein level at a level greater than that of a corresponding normal cell or tissue. For example, a prostate cancer cell line is a cancer characterized by overexpression of RRM2 if it expresses RRM2 at either the mRNA or protein level at a level greater than that observed in a corresponding normal prostate cell. A cancer characterized by overexpression of RRM2 as used herein also refers to any cancer type in which RRM2 inhibitors exhibit additional or selective effects compared to normal, untransformed cells or tissues. For example, a cancer type is a cancer characterized by RRM2 overexpression if it has a greater dependency on the nucleotide pool because of a difference in mitotic indices with normal cells, making it more sensitive to RRM2 inhibition.

dNTP production in eukaryotes is tightly regulated by RR, which catalyzes the rate-limiting step in deoxyribonucleotide synthesis (Jordan 1998). RR consists of a large subunit and a small subunit. In humans, one large subunit (RRM1, also referred to as M1) and two small subunits (RRM2, also referred to as M2, and p53R2) have been identified (Tanaka 2000; Liu 2006). The small RR subunits form two equivalent dinuclear iron centers that stabilize the tyrosyl free radical required for initiation of electron transformation during catalysis (Ochiai 1990; Cooperman 2003; Liu 2006).

RRM1 is a 170 Kd dimer containing substrate and allosteric effector sites that control RR holoenzyme activity and substrate specificity (Cory 1983; Wright 1990; Cooperman 2003; Liu 2006).

RRM2 is an 88 Kd dimer containing a tyrosine free radical and a non-heme iron for enzyme activity (Chang 1979). p53R2 contains a p53-binding site in intron 1 and encodes a 351-amino-acid peptide with striking similarity to RRM2 (Tanaka 2000). RRM2 and p53R2 have an 80% similarity in amino acid sequence (Tanaka 2000).

p53R2 has been identified as a transcriptional target of p53 (Nakano 2000; Tanaka 2000; Yamaguchi 2001), while RRM2 is transcriptionally regulated by cell cycle-associated factors such as NF-Y and E2F (Filatov 1995; Currie 1998; Chabes 2004; Liu 2004). Therefore, expression of p53R2, but not RRM2, is induced by ultraviolet (UV) light, gamma-irradiation, or Doxorubicin (Dox) treatment in a p53-dependent manner (Lozano 2000; Tanaka 2000; Guittet 2001). In p53 mutant or deleted cells, RRM2 can replace p53R2 in the DNA repair process for cells exposed to UV irradiation (Zhou 2003; Liu 2005). P53R2 has been found to have a stronger reducing capacity than RRM2, which may provide a chaperone effect in stabilizing p21 (Xue 2007).

It has been observed that the RB tumor suppressor suppresses RR subunits as a mechanism for regulating cell cycle progression (Elledge 1990). RB inactivation, often observed in tumors, leads to increased dNTP levels and a concomitant resistance of tumor cells to drugs such as 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) and HU (Angus 2002). While overexpression of the RRM2 subunit promotes transformation and tumorigenic potential via its cooperation with several activated oncogenes (Fan 1998), overexpression of the RRM1 subunit suppresses malignant potential in vivo (Fan 1997). Increased expression of RRM2 has been found to increase the drug-resistant properties of cancer cells and to increase invasive potential, whereas RRM2 suppression leads to the reversal of drug resistance and results in decrease proliferation of tumor cells (Zhou 1995; Huang 1997; Zhou 1998; Goan 1999; Chen 2000; Nakano 2000; Kuschak 2002). Normal cells express very low levels of RR in non-proliferative status, whereas most neoplastic cells overexpress RR, thereby supplying dNTP pools for DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. Thus, specific inhibition of RRM2 is likely to provide antineoplastic benefits.

Although RR represents an important target for cancer therapy, there are only three RR inhibitors in clinical use: hydroxyurea (HU), 3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (3-AP, Triapine®), and GTI2040. HU, which blocks DNA synthesis by reducing the tyrosyl free radical, has been marketed as a cancer therapeutic for over 30 years and is the only RR inhibitor that is commercially available (Nocentini 1996). However, resistance to HU treatment is a common problem (Lassmann 1992; Nyholm 1993; Le 2002). 3-AP, a small molecule iron chelator inactivates RR, has been found to cause hypoxia, respiratory distress, and methemoglobulin of red blood cells. In addition, 3-AP selectively targets p53R2 instead of RRM2. GTI2040, an antisense molecule, has thus far been ineffective in human trials. Other issues relating to these three RR inhibitors are incomplete RR blocking, short half-life, and regeneration of RR. In addition, mutation of p53R2 results in hereditary mitochondria depletion syndrome, but not cancer, and p53R2 knockout mice demonstrate kidney tubule disorder but no obvious cancer growth (Kimura 2003). These observations suggest that RRM2 is responsible for tumor proliferation and metastatic potential, whereas p53R2 induced by DNA damage signals for DNA repair. Therefore, an ideal RR inhibitor for use in cancer therapy would have greater potency than HU, less iron chelating ability than 3-AP, and specific targeting of RRM2.

As disclosed herein, RRM2 has been validated as an anti-cancer target. Suppression of RRM2 via siRNA was found to decrease tumor growth in mice implanted with human HepG2 liver cancer cells. Expression of RRM2 was determined to be significantly higher in cancer cells than in corresponding normal cells. In addition, human KB and PC3 cells transfected with RRM2 exhibited increased invasive potential versus their non-transfected counterparts, suggesting that RRM2 enhances the invasive potential of cancer cells.

A diverse compound library from NCI Developmental Therapeutics Program (DTP) was screened to identify compounds that inhibit RR. Three of the four compounds identified in this screen that inhibited RRM1/RRM2 activity by 80% of more shared a similar structural scaffold, NCI-3. NCI-3 has the structure:

Initial hits from the screening process were synthetically and rationally optimized to obtain the RR inhibitors COH1, COH2, COH4, COH20, and COH29, the structures of which are set forth below.

Each of these compounds exhibited the ability to inhibit RR to a significant degree, and COH20 and COH29 both exhibited the ability to inhibit cancer cell growth across a wide range of cancer cell types. Accordingly, in certain embodiments the present application discloses novel RR inhibitors, compositions, formulations, and kits comprising one or more of these inhibitors, and methods of using these inhibitors to inhibit RR, inhibit cell growth or proliferation, treat cancer, and/or inhibit stem cell proliferation.

COH20 consists of three basic structural units: a pharmacophore (for inhibition of RR activity), a binding group (for selectivity), and a linking group (to connect the pharmacophore and the binding group. As disclosed herein, COH20 exhibited low micromolar range inhibition of both recombinant and intracellular RR in vitro, and caused a decrease in dNTP pools. Biochemical analysis revealed that COH20 targets RRM2. Upon binding the RRM1/RRM2 complex, COH20 appears to reside at the V-shaped pocket at the interface between RRM1 and RRM2 and block the free radical transfer pathway though a novel catechol radical stabilization mechanism. Considering the size and chemical composition of COH20 and the distance to the dinuclear iron center, the bound ligand (in this pocket) does not appear to be susceptible to iron chelation as with 3-AP or involved in the direct quenching of the initially formed tyrosyl free radical as with HU. COH20 was found to inhibit growth of the human leukemia cell lines REH and MOLT-4, the human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP, and the human oropharyngeal cancer cell line KB in vitro at a concentration of less than 10 μM, while exhibiting less cytotoxicity towards normal fibroblast cells than HU. COH20 also exhibited greater cytotoxicity towards the HU-resistant cell line KBHURs than 3-AP, indicating that it is capable of overcoming HU drug resistance. COH20 exhibited cytotoxicity towards KBMDR cells at lower concentration than 3-AP or HU (80 μM versus 200 μM and >1000 μM, respectively), indicating that COH20 circumvents MDR more effectively than 3-AP. In addition, COH20 had very low toxicity when administered to mice, with no evidence or iron chelation or methemoglobulin.

As disclosed herein, COH29 showed promising growth inhibitory effects on a wide range of human cancer cell lines, including:

human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines NCI-H23, NCI-H522, A549-ATCC, EKVX, NCI-H226, NCI-H332M, H460, H0P62, HOP92;

human colon cancer cell lines HT29, HCC-2998, HCT116, SW620, COLO205, HCT15, KM12;

breast cancer cell lines MCF7, MCF7ADRr, MDAMB231, HS578T, MDAMB435, MDN, BT549, T47D;

ovarian cancer cell lines OVCAR3, OVCAR4, OVCAR5, OVCAR8, IGROV1, SKOV3;

human leukemia cell lines CCRFCEM, K562, MOLT4, HL60, RPMI8266, SR;

renal cancer cell lines UO31, SN12C, A498, CAKI1, RXF393, 7860, ACHN, TK10;

melanoma cell lines LOXIMVI, MALME3M, SKMEL2, SKMEL5, SKMEL28, M14, UACC62, UACC257;

prostate cancer cell lines PC3, DU145; and

CNS cancer cell lines SNB19, SNB75, U251, SF268, SF295, SM539.

In certain embodiments, COH29 showed a less than about 10 μM GI50 for the NCI 60 human cancer cell lines, except colon cancer cell line HT29, melanoma cancer cell line UACC-257, ovarian cancer cell line NCI/ADR-RES, and renal cancer cell line CAKI-1. In addition, pharmacokinetic studies of COH29 showed a dose-dependent manner when COH29 was administered by i.v. bolus.

COH4, COH20 and COH29 represent unique RR inhibitors with high antitumoral activity that provide significant advantages over previously disclosed RR inhibitors. Specifically, COH20 offers a unique mechanism and target specificity that interferes with the radical transfer pathway at the RRM1/RRM2 interface with greater potency than HU and amelioration of the iron chelation-related side effects observed with 3-AP. Therefore, provided herein in certain embodiments are small molecule RR inhibitors and methods of using these inhibitors to inhibit RR and to treat cancer. The inhibitors disclosed herein are capable of overcoming HU resistance, a common obstacle to cancer therapy, and are also capable of overcoming multidrug resistance.

In certain embodiments, a novel RR inhibitor as disclosed herein is COH1, COH2, COH4, COH20, or COH29, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, stereoisomer, or prodrug derivative thereof.

In certain embodiments, a novel RR inhibitor as disclosed herein is:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, stereoisomer, or prodrug derivative thereof, wherein:

R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl and aryl groups;

R₃ is selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups; and

X is selected from the group consisting of Br, halogen, alkyl and aryl groups.

In certain embodiments, an RR inhibitor as disclosed herein is:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, stereoisomer, or prodrug derivative thereof, wherein

X is selected from the group consisting of halogen, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl and substituted and unsubstituted aryl groups;

R₁-R₂ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, OH, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, and substituted and unsubstituted aryl groups; and

R₁-R₂ may combine together to form a ring wherein the ring is aryl or non-aryl.

As used herein, unless specified otherwise, the term “alkyl” means a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, monovalent or multivalent hydrocarbon group. Examples of alkyl include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, isobutenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl, heptenyl, octenyl, nonenyl, decenyl, undecenyl, dodecenyl, ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, isobutynyl, pentynyl, hexynyl, heptynyl, octynyl, nonynyl, decynyl, undecynyl, dodecynyl, methylene, ethylene, propylene, isopropylene, butylene, isobutylene, t-butylene, pentylene, hexylene, heptylene, octylene, nonylene, decylene, undecylene and dodecylene. In certain embodiments, the hydrocarbon group contains 1 to 30 carbons. In certain embodiments, the hydrocarbon group contains 1 to 20 carbons

As used herein, unless specified otherwise, the term “aryl” means a chemical structure comprising one or more aromatic rings. In certain embodiments, the ring atoms are all carbon. In certain embodiments, one or more ring atoms are non-carbon, e.g. oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur. Examples of aryl include, without limitation, phenyl, benzyl, naphthalenyl, anthracenyl, pyridyl, quinoyl, isoquinoyl, pyrazinyl, quinoxalinyl, acridinyl, pyrimidinyl, quinazolinyl, pyridazinyl, cinnolinyl, imidazolyl, benzimidazolyl, purinyl, indolyl, furanyl, benzofuranyl, isobenzofuranyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, thiophenyl, benzothiophenyl, pyrazolyl, indazolyl, oxazolyl, benzoxazolyl, isoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, thiaxolyl and benzothiazolyl.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” means those salts of compounds of the invention that are safe and effective for application in a subject and that possess the desired biological activity. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts include salts of acidic or basic groups present in compounds of the invention. Pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts include, but are not limited to, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, nitrate, sulfate, bisulfate, phosphate, acid phosphate, isonicotinate, acetate, lactate, salicylate, citrate, tartrate, pantothenate, bitartrate, ascorbate, succinate, maleate, gentisinate, fumarate, gluconate, glucaronate, saccharate, formate, benzoate, glutamate, methanesulfonate, ethanesulfonate, benzensulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate and pamoate (i.e., 1,11-methylene-bis-(2-hydroxy-3-naphthoate)) salts. Certain compounds of the invention can form pharmaceutically acceptable salts with various amino acids. Suitable base salts include, but are not limited to, aluminum, calcium, lithium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc, and diethanolamine salts. For a review on pharmaceutically acceptable salts see BERGE ET AL., 66 J. PHARM. SCI. 1-19 (1977), incorporated herein by reference.

As used herein, the term “halogen” means F, Cl, Br, I and At.

The RR inhibitors disclosed herein specifically target RRM2, inhibiting the interaction between RRM1 and RRM2 and inhibiting the activity of the RR complex. Therefore, these inhibitors may be used to certain cancers, including cancers associated with the overexpression of RRM2 or for which there exists a suitable therapeutic index. As disclosed herein, RRM2 may be overexpressed in breast cancer cells versus normal cells, and expression of exogenous RRM2 increases cancer cell invasive potential. The inhibitors disclosed herein have been shown to inhibit growth of multiple cancer cell types in vitro, supporting the use of these inhibitors to treat a wide range of cancers.

Previous studies have shown that RRM2 is highly expressed in stem cells in the colon (Liu 2006). At the early stages of colon cancer, RRM2 expression decreases slightly. However, RRM2 expression increases significantly once the tumor becomes aggressive. These results support the findings herein that RRM2 expression is associated with an increase in cancer cell invasiveness. In addition, they support the use of the inhibitors disclosed herein to inhibit the growth or proliferation of stem cells giving rise to cancer, thereby preventing or slowing the onset of certain cancer types.

In addition to cancer, the inhibitors disclosed herein may be used to treat other conditions associated with RR or RR overexpression, such as for example various mitochondrial, redox-related, or degenerative diseases. In addition, the inhibitors may be used to inhibit growth or proliferation of cells expressing RR.

The following examples are provided to better illustrate the claimed invention and are not to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. To the extent that specific materials are mentioned, it is merely for purposes of illustration and is not intended to limit the invention. One skilled in the art may develop equivalent means or reactants without the exercise of inventive capacity and without departing from the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Confirmation of RRM2 as a Target for Anti-Cancer Therapy

An RRM2-luciferase fusion construct was co-administered with RRM2 siRNA (siRNAB+5) by hydrodynamic tail vein injection (HPTV) [plasmid 0.25 mg/kg, siRNA 1.25 mg/kg] to female BALB/c mice implanted with human HepG2 liver cancer cells. In vivo bioluminescence imaging revealed potent down-regulation within mouse liver cancer cells over multiple weeks (FIG. 1). The tumor growth inhibition in the treatment group was significantly better than that observed in the control group, with plasmid alone, or with siCON. These results suggest that RRM2 plays critical role in cancer growth and validates it as a therapeutic target.

RRM2 mRNA expression levels were measured by RT-PCR in 35 human fresh frozen breast cancer biopsies and corresponding normal tissue samples. Optimal PCR primer and probe concentrations of RRM2 and β-actin housekeeping gene were determined to reach maximum efficiency during the amplification. The PCR reaction was performed in a 20 μl final volume, adding 1 μL cDNA from each sample using Taqman PCR mix (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.). A significant increase in RRM2 expression was observed in breast cancer tissue versus corresponding normal tissue (p<0.05) (FIG. 2A). A Western blot revealed that normal human tissues other than fetal liver and testis express low levels of RRM2, whereas cancer cells express significantly higher levels of RRM2 (FIG. 2B).

Human oropharyngeal cancer KB (wild-type p53) and human prostate cancer PC3 (truncated p53) cells were transfected with sense RRM2 (KBM2 and PC3M2, respectively) and control vector, and the resulting overexpression of RRM2 was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Transfectants were applied to the upper layer of Matrigel in a Borden chamber. After 72 hours, cells that invaded to the lower layer were fixed with alcohol, stained with methylene blue, and counted and examined. RRM2 transfected cells exhibited increased invasive potential in comparison to non-transfected cells (FIG. 3).

Example 2 Identification of Novel RR Inhibitors

A diverse compound library from NCI Developmental Therapeutics Program (DTP) was subjected to a virtual screening process to identify potential RR inhibitors. The DTP library contains 2,000 different compounds. A novel ligand binding pocket on human RRM2 identified from the X-ray crystal structure (PDB 2UW2) was selected to identify potential inhibitor compounds that were in close proximity to the RRM1/RRM2 interface but distant from the dityrosyl-diiron center in order to avoid iron chelating side effects. This ligand binding pocket, which consists of 32 amino acid residues conserved among human and mouse RRM2 protein families, is in close proximity to the RRM1/RRM2 interface. The structure of the ligand binding pocket is set forth in FIG. 4. The pocket consists of helices α7, α8, and α10 at the C-terminal domain. The narrow interior end of the V-shaped pocket is lined up with hydrophobic residues near the back of dityrosyl diiron cluster center. Polar residues such as D271, R330, and E334 that are located near the open-end of the pocket may potentially interact with the flexible C-terminus. The pocket is lined mostly with interior hydrophobic residues with charged residues exposed to the surface.

Compounds that docked into the ligand binding pocket were identified using the TRIPOS FlexX docking tool and ranked using an embedded consensus docking score. The top 80 RR inhibitor candidates that exhibited a binding affinity equal to or greater than that of 3-AP in the virtual screen were subjected to an in vitro screen using a known semi-high throughput holoenzyme-based assay for determining the potency and subunit-selectivity of small molecule inhibitors (Shao 2005). The assay utilized recombinant RRM1/RRM2 or RRM1/RRM2 complex and measured [³H]CDP reduction activity (i.e., CDP to dCDP) by HPLC. Ten compounds exhibited the ability to inhibit native RRM1/RRM2 activity by greater than 50% in vitro, and four of these compounds inhibited enzyme activity by 80% or more. Three of the four compounds exhibiting ≧80% inhibition shared a similar structural scaffold (NCI-3, NSC#659390, and NSC#45382), and also showed better solubility and lower toxicity than the other tested compounds. NCI-3 (dihydroxyphenylthiazole, DHPT) has the following structure:

A series of NCI-3 analogs were synthesized using the strategy set forth in FIG. 5. An additional 24 NCI-3 analogs were developed by attaching a variety of R groups to the aminothiazole group. Compounds generated in this manner included COH1, COH2, COH4, COH20 and COH29.

Example 3 Characterization of Novel NCI-3 Analogs

The ability of NCI-3 and the NCI-3 analogs synthesized in Example 2 to inhibit RR activity was tested using the in vitro holoenzyme assay described above. COH4 exhibited significant RR inhibition. COH20 was even more effective, causing 90.2% inhibition of the recombinant RRM1/RRM2 complex in vitro (FIG. 6). Results for various compounds are set forth in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Compound IC50 ± S.D. (μM) HU 148.0 ± 7.34  3-AP  1.2 ± 0.13 NCl-3 19.1 ± 0.43 COH4 15.3 ± 1.8  COH20 9.3 ± 2.3

In striking contrast to 3-AP, inhibition of RR by COH20 was virtually unaffected by the addition of iron (Table 2).

TABLE 2 IC50 ± S.D. (μM) RRM1/RRM2 COH20 alone 9.31 ± 2.3 COH20—Fe complex 9.12 ± 1.9 COH20—Fe complex with added Fe 10.41 ± 2.1 

Site-directed mutagenesis, Biacore analysis, and NMR Saturation Transfer Difference (STD) analysis were carried out to validate the binding pocket and ligand/protein interaction between COH20 and RRM2. RRM2 point mutants were generated by mutating certain key residues in the binding pocket. These residues included Y323, D271, R330, and E334, each of which are charged and reside on the surface of the binding pocket, and G233, which sits deep in the pocket. Attenuation of inhibition in these mutants confirmed involvement of the mutated residues in ligand binding and validated the binding pocket. Interestingly, the only mutation that did not attenuate inhibition was G233V. This suggests the presence of a hydrophobic pocket that is stabilized by introduction of a valine side chain.

To confirm that the ability of COH20 to inhibit RR activity was not specific to recombinant RR, an assay was performed testing the effect of COH20 on intracellular RR. KB cells treated with 10 μM COH20 were lysed, and protein was extracted in a high salt buffer and passed through a G25 Sephadex column to remove small molecules such as dNTP. The eluate was mixed with [³H]CDP in reaction buffer to monitor RR activity. Treatment with COH20 decreased intracellular RR activity by approximately 50% (FIG. 7). Treatment with COH20 had no effect on RRM2 protein levels as measured by Western blot, indicating that the effect of COH20 on RR activity is not due to a decrease in RRM2 expression.

dNTP pools from KB cells were measured by polymerase template assay following treatment with 10 μM COH20. Pre- and post-treatment cell pellets were mixed with 100 μl of 15% trichloroacetic acid, incubated on ice for ten minutes, and centrifuged at high speed for five minutes. Supernatants were collected and extracted with two 50 μl aliquots of Freon/trioctylamine (55%/45%) to neutralize the trichloroacetic acid. After each addition, the samples were centrifuged at high speed and supernatant was collected. Two 5 μl aliquots (one for each duplicate) of each sample were used to check dATP, dCTP, dGTP, and dTTP concentrations. The reaction mixture in each tube contained 50 mM Tris-HCL pH 7.5, 10 mM MgCl, 5 mM DTT, 0.25 mM template/primer, 1.25 μM ³H-dATP (for dCTP assay) or ³H-dTTP (for dATP assay), and 0.3 units of Sequenase (2.0) in a total volume of 50 μL. DNA synthesis was allowed to proceed for 20 minutes at room temperature. After incubation, 40 μl of each reaction mixture was spotted onto a Whatman DE81 ion exchange paper (2.4 cm diameter). The papers were dried for 30-60 minutes at room temperature, washed with 5% Na₂HPO₄ (3×10 minutes), and rinsed once with distilled water and once more with 95% ethanol. Each paper was dried and deposited in a small vial, and 5 ml of scintillation fluid was added to each vial. Tritium-labeled dNTPs were counted using liquid scintillation counter and compared to standards prepared at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 pmol/μL of dNTPs. For comparison, duplicate sets of reactions were carried out with freshly added inhibitors. COH20 was found to decrease dATP, dCTP, dGTP, and dTTP pools in KB cells, indicating that inhibition of RR results in a concomitant decreased in dNTP production (FIG. 8). Similar experiments will be performed using other cell lines.

The in vitro cytotoxicity of COH4 and COH20 towards human leukemia REH and MOLT-4 cells, human prostate cancer LNCaP cells, human oropharyngeal cancer KB cells, and normal fibroblast NHDF cells was evaluated using an MTT assay. 5,000 cells were seeded on six-well plates for 72 hours with various concentrations of drug. COH20 was cytotoxic to the cancer cell lines at less than 10 μM, while causing less cytotoxicity to normal cells than 3-AP. The results are summarized in Table 3. Results for LNCaP, KB, and NHDF are set forth in FIGS. 9-11. Based on the broad range of cancer cell types against which COH20 exhibits cytotoxicity, COH20 is expected to be cytotoxic to a variety of additional cancer cell types, including colon cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, leukemia, and lymphoma cells.

TABLE 3 IC50 (μM) Cell line COH20 COH4 3-AP HU REH 2.54 20.6 1.42 32.8 MOLT-4 5.26 11.85 1.21 165 LNCaP 8.49 22.96 1.75 280 KB 9.25 30.6 1.98 300 NHDF 82.8 52.6 7.35 >1000

In vitro cytotoxicity assays were repeated using KBHURs, an HU-resistant clone derived from KB cells that overexpresses RRM2. COH20 was cytotoxic to KBHURs at significantly lower concentrations than the other RR inhibitors tested, confirming that COH20 is capable of overcoming HU resistance (FIG. 12). In addition, COH20 was found to be cytotoxic to KBMDR, a KB clone that overexpresses the MDR pump on the cell membrane, at lower concentrations than 3-AP or HU (FIG. 13). A real-time proliferation assay confirmed that COH20 also inhibits cell proliferation in KBMDR cells (FIG. 14). Similar experiments will be repeated using the gemcitabine resistant cell line KBGem, which also overexpresses RRM2. Based on the results with other cell lines, it is expected that COH20 will also exhibit cytotoxicity and growth inhibition towards KBGem.

The in vitro cytotoxicity of COH29 towards a panel of human cancer cell lines was tested using the MTT assay described above. COH29 significantly inhibited growth across a broad range of cancer cell types, with an IC₅₀ of less than about 10 μM in all cell types tested except for colon cancer HT29, melanoma UACC-257, ovarian cancer NCI/ADR-RES, and renal cancer CAKI-1 (FIGS. 20-24). Representative results are summarized in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Cell line IC50 Leukemia CCRF-CEM 2.8 μM Leukemia MOLT-4 2.5 μM Leukemia SUP B15 5.0 μM Ovarian Cancer OV 90 2.6 μM

Flow cytometry and annexin staining were performed on KB cells treated with COH20 at 9 or 27 μM or 3-AP at 3 μM for 24 hours. These results showed that COH20 treatment arrests cells in S-phase in a dose-dependent manner (FIG. 15, upper panel). After treatment with COH20 for 72 hours, annexin staining showed significant cell death, indicating apoptosis (FIG. 15, lower panel). COH20 induced apoptosis with approximately the same potency as 3-AP.

COH20 was injected into three male rats at 1 mg/kg for single-dose pharmacokinetic evaluation. Elimination of COH20 from plasma was found to be tri-exponential, with a rapid initial decline phase (possible tissue distribution or liver uptake) followed by an intermediate phase (combined distribution and elimination) and a slower terminal phase (elimination) (FIG. 16). The terminal half-life (T_(1/2)) was approximately 5.5 hours. More detailed pharmacokinetic studies will be performed with various dosages of COH20 to establish parameters such as clearance, bioavailability, and tissue/plasma partition coefficients.

Pharmacokinetic evaluation was performed on COH29 using the same techniques, with COH29 administered at a dosage of 25 mg/kg. Results from triplicate analysis are summarized in Table 5. Area under the curve (AUC) calculations showed COH29 acting in a dose-dependent manner when administered by i.v. bolus (FIG. 25).

TABLE 5 C_(max) T_(max) AUC CL V_(ss) T_(1/2) (ng/ml) (hr) (ng*h/ml) (ml/(h*kg)) (ml/kg) (hr) 1 31300 0.03 3668 6816 1185 0.4 2 26000 0.03 2861 8738 576 7.6 3 25600 0.03 3918 6381 653 0.03 Avg. 27633 0.03 3482 7312 804 2.67 SD 1837 — 319 724 191 2.45

In order to determine the maximal tolerated dose of COH20, COH20 was administered to mice intravenously at dosages ranging from 10 to 160 mg/kg. Other than one mouse that died in the 160 mg/kg group, body weight remained stable for all treatment groups, indicating that COH20 is a tolerable compound with minimal toxicity (FIG. 17). There was no evidence of lethal iron chelation or induction of methemoglobulin, further indicating that COH20 has no significant iron chelation side effects.

A Biacore T100 instrument was used to study the ligand-protein interaction between COH20 or 3-AP and RRM2. Wild-type RRM2 was isolated and immobilized onto CM4 sensor chips using standard amine-coupling methods at 25° C. and a flow rate of 10 μL/min. Specifically, the carboxymethyl dextran surfaces of the flow cells were activated with a 7-min injection of a 1:1 ratio of 0.4 M (N-ethyl-N0-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) and 0.1 M N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). RRM2 was diluted in 10 mM sodium acetate, pH 4.5, to 25 μg/ml and injected over target flow cell for target immobilization 8000RU. 10 mM sodium acetate, pH 4.5 buffer was injected into the reference flow cell for blank immobilization. The remaining activated surface was blocked with a 7-min injection of 1M ethanolamine-HCl, pH 8.5. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was used as a running buffer during immobilization. COH20 and 3-AP were dissolved in DMSO to prepare 100 mM stock solutions. The compounds were then diluted serially in running buffer (PBS, 1.5% DMSO, 10-fold carboxymethyl dextran, 0.002% Methyl-6-O-(N-heptylcarbamoyl)-α-D-glucoyranoside) to the appropriate running concentrations. Samples were injected over the reference flow cell and target flow cell (with immobilized RRM2) at a flow rate of 60 μL/min at 25° C. Association and dissociation were measured for 180 seconds and 60 seconds, respectively. All compounds were tested in triplicate at five different concentrations. Concentration series for each compound were done at least twice. Within a given compound concentration series, the samples were randomized to minimize systematic errors. Between samples, the sensor chip was regenerated by injection of 0.3% SDS for 30 seconds. The results showed a significant interaction between COH20 and RRM2, but not between COH20 and 3-AP (FIG. 18).

The Biacore T100 was also used to analyze the ability of COH20 to interfere with binding of RRM2 to RRM1. Fixed concentrations of RRM1 (1 μM) in the absence and presence of a two-fold dilution concentration series of COH20 (3.125-25 μM) were injected over a reference flow cell and a target flow cell (with immobilized RRM2) at a flow rate 30 μL/min at 25° C. Association and dissociation were measured for 90 seconds and 60 seconds, respectively. Duplicates runs were performed using the same conditions. Between samples, the sensor chip was regenerated by injection of 0.3% SDS, 0.2 M Na₂CO₃ for 30 seconds. COH20 was found to interrupt the RRM1/RRM2 interaction at the interface (FIG. 19).

The cytotoxic efficacy of COH20 will be tested in vivo using a mouse xenograft model. Xenograft tumor models will be created using human cancer cell lines such as KB, KBHURs, and KBGem. For establishment of the KB xenograft model, 1-5 10⁶ KB cells in a volume of 0.1 ml saline will be injected into the right hind flank of 5-6 week old nude female mice. Tumor volume will be monitored twice weekly using digital calipers. When tumor volume reaches approximately 100-160 mm³, mice will be divided into groups of ten such that the median and mean body weight and tumor volume are roughly the same for all mice within a group. COH20 will be administered either 1) alone in a single dose to determine effective dosage, 2) alone at various intervals for a scheduling study, or 3) in combination with known cancer therapeutics such as chemotherapeutics. During a monitoring period of approximately four weeks, changes in tumor cell growth, body weight, organ dysfunction, and iron chelating side effects will be analyzed at various timepoints. Following the monitoring period, mice will be euthanized and tissue, tumor, and plasma will be analyzed by visual and histological examination. Based on the cytotoxicity of COH20 towards various cancer cell lines in vitro, it is expected that mice treated with COH20 will exhibit higher survival rates, decreased tumor growth, and fewer tumor-related side effects (e.g., weight loss, organ dysfunction).

The structure of NCI-3 analogs such as COH20 and COH29 may be refined and optimized by generating various analogs and analyzing their binding to RRM2 and the RRM1/RRM2 complex using site-directed mutagenesis studies, Biacore analysis, and NMR STD experiments. X-ray crystallography studies may be performed to determine the three-dimensional structure of the COH20-RRM2 complex. Using these tools, additional RR inhibitors may be generated with higher potency, greater selectivity, and lower toxicity.

As shown above, the RRM2 mutant G233V enhanced COH20 inhibitor activity. Additional hydrophobic interactions between the valine side chain and the bound ligand are believed to contribute to enhanced binding and inhibition, suggesting that an additional hydrophobic side chain extending from COH20 could optimize binding affinity. Therefore, COH20 analogs that contain these hydrophobic side chains (e.g. COH1, COH2, COH4, COH29, compounds having Structure I, and compounds selected from Group I) are also likely to be RR inhibitors.

As stated above, the foregoing are merely intended to illustrate the various embodiments of the present invention. As such, the specific modifications discussed above are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various equivalents, changes, and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and it is understood that such equivalent embodiments are to be included herein. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

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1. A method of inhibiting ribonucleotide reductase activity in a cell comprising contacting said cell with a compound selected from the group consisting of:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable stereoisomer or salt thereof, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of halogen, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl and substituted and unsubstituted aryl groups; R₁-R₂ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, OH, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, and substituted and unsubstituted aryl groups; and R₁-R₂ may combine together to form a ring wherein the ring is aryl or non-aryl.
 2. A method of inhibiting growth or proliferation of a cell expressing RRM2 comprising contacting said cell with a compound selected from the group consisting of:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable stereoisomer or salt thereof, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of halogen, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl and substituted and unsubstituted aryl groups; R₁-R₂ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, OH, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, and substituted and unsubstituted aryl groups; and R₁-R₂ may combine together to form a ring wherein the ring is aryl or non-aryl.
 3. A method of treating cancer in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable stereoisomer or salt thereof, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of halogen, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl and substituted and unsubstituted aryl groups; R₁-R₂ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, OH, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, and substituted and unsubstituted aryl groups; and R₁-R₂ may combine together to form a ring wherein the ring is aryl or non-aryl.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said cancer is characterized by overexpression of RRM2.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein said cancer is resistant to treatment with hydroxyurea.
 6. A method of inhibiting proliferation of a stem cell expressing RRM2 in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable stereoisomer or salt thereof, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of halogen, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl and substituted and unsubstituted aryl groups; R₁-R₂ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, OH, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, and substituted and unsubstituted aryl groups; and R₁-R₂ may combine together to form a ring wherein the ring is aryl or non-aryl.
 7. The method of any of claims 1-6, wherein said compound has a structure selected from the group consisting of:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable stereoisomer or salt thereof.
 8. The method of any of claims 1-6, wherein said compound has the structure:

or is a pharmaceutically acceptable stereoisomer or salt thereof. 